Seafood Fideuà

Instructions

1. Toast the noodles
   In a large paella pan or wide skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the fideuà noodles and toast them, stirring frequently, until they turn golden brown. This will take about 3-4 minutes. Remove the noodles and set aside.
2. Prepare the seafood
   In the same pan, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the shrimp and cook for 1-2 minutes per side until they turn pink. Remove and set aside. Add the squid rings and cook for 1-2 minutes until just tender. Remove and set aside with the shrimp.
3. Create the sofrito base
   In the same pan, add the diced onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and diced bell pepper, and cook for another 3 minutes. Stir in the grated tomatoes and cook until the mixture thickens and the liquid evaporates, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Add the aromatics
   Stir in the smoked paprika and saffron with its soaking liquid. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Cook the noodles
   Return the toasted noodles to the pan and stir well to coat them in the sofrito mixture. Pour in the fish stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, without stirring, for about 10 minutes or until the noodles have absorbed most of the liquid.
6. Add the seafood
   Arrange the mussels around the edge of the pan, pushing them slightly into the noodles. Arrange the reserved shrimp and squid on top. Continue to cook for another 5-7 minutes until the mussels have opened and the noodles are tender but still al dente.
7. Create the socarrat
   For the traditional crispy bottom (socarrat), increase the heat to medium-high for the last 1-2 minutes of cooking. Listen for a slight crackling sound, which indicates the bottom layer is crisping up. Be careful not to burn it.
8. Serve
   Remove from heat and let the fideuà rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges. Traditionally, fideuà is eaten directly from the pan with individual spoons.